Interislander lashings

[Jonty]

Ok guys

I am about to put the pride and joy on the Kaitaki in 1 1/2 weeks and to be honest I am a little nervous. I am not sure how I will handle 4 meter swells with my baby sitting next to a tandem truck and trailer unit ready to squash it into the condtion of WT's new CBR

I have trawled thruugh posts of KB'ers who have made the trip and how they tied her down (unfortunately none were bike specific). Anyway, I took their advice and bought 4 new tie downs and went to the garage to practice my lashing technique. Well first thing I noticed is there is no way those little hooks will hang on anything in the handlebar region. So my proposal is to use the loop end and loop around the end of each handle bar and anchor to a spot out in front of the bike while compressing the front suspension. The back tiedowns should be less of a problem.

My question is should a lose loop on the handle bar be sufficient if the suspension is fully compressesed or is it likely to slip of if it gets a bit of knocking?

If anyone has done this and is familiar with the fairing limitaion of tmy Cibber I would appreciate advice.

[vifferman]

What you've proposed sounds OK.
This is a problem for all/most sprots bikes, due to the fairings getting in the way.
Here's one solution: http://www.canyondancer.com/

Another is to use looped rope, tiedown or whatever off the handlebars, then attach the tiedowns to that instead of directly to the bike (hard to describe). As long as whatever you do is tight, uses the suspension to keep some tension on the tiedowns, doesn't rub against paintwork, and can't come undone easily, you should be fine.

[Jonty]

What you've proposed sounds OK.
This is a problem for all/most sprots bikes, due to the fairings getting in the way.
Here's one solution: http://www.canyondancer.com/

Another is to use looped rope, tiedown or whatever off the handlebars, then attach the tiedowns to that instead of directly to the bike (hard to describe). As long as whatever you do is tight, uses the suspension to keep some tension on the tiedowns, doesn't rub against paintwork, and can't come undone easily, you should be fine.

Cheers for that. That canyon gizmo is exactly what I need. I may try and make up something like that this week.

[k14]

When i've ever tied down a bike (be it on the ferry or in my van) i always have tied it to either the top or bottom tripple clamp and then compressed the forks about 15mm or so. Never had a problem doing it this way. Also don't use the hook directly onto the part of the bike. Loop the strapping around the bit you want to attach it to (eg handle bar etc) and then put the hook back onto the strap itself, thats the way i've always done it anyway.

[750Y]

i went on there one time (aratika or arahura) it was nearly burying the nose. they shut it down when we got to picton. strap that beast down good 8-)

[skelstar]

I have some slings (closed loop of strapping) that I have used for rock climbing/alpine. They are good up to about 22KN (static). Wanna borrow one (maybe two if I can find them)?

[vifferman]

When i've ever tied down a bike (be it on the ferry or in my van) i always have tied it to either the top or bottom tripple clamp and then compressed the forks about 15mm or so. Never had a problem doing it this way.

Can't do this on a sprotsbike if the fairing's in the way.

[Jonty]

Can't do this on a sprotsbike if the fairing's in the way.

Yep - thats the problem I have. Skels maybe a prussick is the way to go. I'll let you know cheers.

[Lou Girardin]

Go to your local friendly bike shop and get some WFO bar-harnesses, $29.00 inc.
Or I can send you some.

[k14]

Can't do this on a sprotsbike if the fairing's in the way.

All the bikes i have tied down this way are sports bikes, with fairings. It sometimes does take a bit of stuffing around but normally is possible to avoid them. Specially if you do it to the bottom tripple clamp, you can sometimes avoid the fairing all together. Depends on bike though.

[tl_tub]

No recommendations on strapping yours down, as with my bike I always attached the tiedowns in the middle of the frame and pulled it down on its suspension while balancing the load on the sidestand so the bottom wouldnt slide out.

All I will say is, be careful of the ship employees. I once had one try to put a truck tiedown over my petrol tank - forget the scratches, worry about the new pancake shape! That was on the 'fast ferry' though and only happened once.

All the best!

[inlinefour]

Ok guys

I am about to put the pride and joy on the Kaitaki in 1 1/2 weeks and to be honest I am a little nervous. I am not sure how I will handle 4 meter swells with my baby sitting next to a tandem truck and trailer unit ready to squash it into the condtion of WT's new CBR

I have trawled thruugh posts of KB'ers who have made the trip and how they tied her down (unfortunately none were bike specific). Anyway, I took their advice and bought 4 new tie downs and went to the garage to practice my lashing technique. Well first thing I noticed is there is no way those little hooks will hang on anything in the handlebar region. So my proposal is to use the loop end and loop around the end of each handle bar and anchor to a spot out in front of the bike while compressing the front suspension. The back tiedowns should be less of a problem.

My question is should a lose loop on the handle bar be sufficient if the suspension is fully compressesed or is it likely to slip of if it gets a bit of knocking?

If anyone has done this and is familiar with the fairing limitaion of tmy Cibber I would appreciate advice.

Went over in Feb and they take good care of all the vehicles. I'd not hesitate taking my bike over the straight. Besides, they are wimps. They never go out if there is a bit of nasty weather. Been over in weather I consider half decient in a fishing boat and they are refusung to sail...

[vinducati]

I always use 4 tie-downs, and put a strap around the front brake.
In gear of course, And the have handy little rubber chocks to stuff under the wheels.

[geoffm]

What others said - buy decent tiedowns (Aerofast). Fronts onto the bottom triple clamp, with one of the rubber wedges against the front wheel, and another pair of tiedowns on the back, pulling backwards. Never had one move.
Geoff

[Scorpygirl]

Rhino has taken the Goldwing 1500 over and back several times. The best thing is to buy really good tiedowns/ rachets and then find the best places on the bike for them and then line your bike in the best place to attach them too. Also use chocks if they are available.